Eight young ladies gathered Saturday afternoon at the Dixie Center for the Arts with hopes of becoming the next Miss Dixie Gem Peach and Miss Spirit of Ruston.

However, only two young ladies would have that privilege as Alexandra Gulino, of Shreveport, was named Miss Dixie Gem Peach 2017 and Meagan Crews, of Bossier City, was crowned as Miss Spirit of Ruston 2017.

Gulino, as well as the rest of the young ladies who graced the stage, worked diligently to be able to compete in the contest which asked them to not only display their beauty, but also their grace.

In its 66th year, the pageant helps provide scholarships for local teen girls.

The ladies who competed for the crown were asked to participate in five different scoring categories: interview, talent, fitness, onstage question and evening gown.

In each of the categories, the contestants have to prove their artistic abilities, community achievement and their knowledge.

The talent show featured ladies performing dances and singing that got the crowd going.

Joe Price, executive director of the Dixie Gem Peach Scholarship Organization, said Gulino will now have the opportunity to compete in the miss Louisiana Pageant next June.

However, Gulino was not the only young lady honored during the event.

We say congratulations to these young ladies.

Holding these titles means the young ladies will be sharing their platforms for hope and change with the residents of Louisiana.

But perhaps more than that, the titles also mean the new royality will represent Ruston wherever they go.

We wish Gulino and Crews in well their ventures during the upcoming year, and cannot wait to see what these young ladies will do in the future.

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